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Waldenses
45
While the youth were inured to toil and hardship, the culture of
the intellect was not neglected. They were taught that all their powers
belonged to God, and that all were to be improved and developed
for his service.
The church of the Alps, in its purity and simplicity, resembled
the church in the first centuries. The shepherds of the flock led their
charge to the fountain of living waters,—the word of God. On the
grassy slopes of the valleys, or in some sheltered glen among the
hills, the people gathered about the servants of Christ to listen to the
words of truth.
Here the youth received instruction. The Bible was their text-
book. They studied and committed to memory the words of Holy
Writ. A considerable portion of their time was spent, also, in re-
producing copies of the Scriptures. Some manuscripts contained
the whole Bible, others only brief selections, to which some simple
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explanations of the text were added by those who were able to ex-
pound the Scriptures. Thus were brought forth the treasures of truth
so long concealed by those who sought to exalt themselves above
God.
By patient, untiring labor, sometimes in the deep, dark caverns
of the earth, by the light of torches, were the Sacred Scriptures
written out, verse by verse, chapter by chapter. Thus the work went
on, the revealed will of God shining out like pure gold; how much
brighter, clearer, and more powerful because of the trials undergone
for its sake, only those could realize who were engaged in the work.
Angels from Heaven surrounded these faithful workers.
Satan had urged on the papal bishops and prelates to bury the
word of truth beneath the rubbish of error, heresy, and supersti-
tion; but in a most wonderful manner was it preserved uncorrupted
through all the ages of darkness. It bore not the stamp of man, but
the impress of God. Men have been unwearied in their efforts to
obscure the plain, simple meaning of the Scriptures, and to make
them contradict their own testimony; but, like the ark upon the bil-
lowy deep, the word of God outrides the storms that threaten it with
destruction. As the mine has rich veins of gold and silver hidden
beneath the surface, so that all must dig who would discover its
precious stores, so the Holy Scriptures have treasures of truth that
are unfolded only to the earnest, humble, prayerful seeker. God